Apparatus for treating fats and oils.



P. G. KAISER & B. E. REUTER.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FATS AND OILS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1913.

1,156,995. Patented 'Oot. mi 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- Qui G. KAISER & B. E. REUTER.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FATS AND OILS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1913.

l z fli a........,,...- K.. "Kfi Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Cieigamfc m @week'QQafv Cy ywarw 55mm UNITED STATES PATENT oFmo PAULGUSTAV KAISER AND BALTHA S AR E. REUTEFI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FATS AND OILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PAUL G. KAISER and BALTHASAR E. REUTER, bothcitizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Treating Fats and Oils, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

Our invention relates to apparatus for treating fats and oils, and itsobject is to provide improved mechanism for heating and agitating fatsand oils while they are undergoing treatment in the process of makingsoap.

While our invention is particularly adapted for use in treating fats andoils in the process of making soap, we wish it to be understood thatcertain features of our apparatus may be adopted for a variety ofpurposes. Our improved heating and agitating apparatus may be, in fact,employed for heating and agitating any suitable materials whether theybe fats and oils or not.

The present-invention is particularly con-' cerned with the provision ofapparatus for carrying out the process described in patent to BalthasarE. Router No. 1,068,079, dated July 22, 1913.

' Our invention provides improved apparatus whereby the contents of asaponification or other tank may be heated by steam under pressure andagitated by .the steam supplied for heating purposes. The contents ofthe tank are very effectually and economically heated and agitated, andthe agitation is accomplished without necessarily employing any movableparts whatsoever. 7

Our invention is more fully set forth in the following description andis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is asectional view of a tank equipped with the improved heating andagitating devices of our invention; Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.1; Fig.- 4is a fragmentary sectional view of the heating and agitating devices;and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement ofapparatus for carry that we have shown an arrangement of ap-.

paratus comprising an acid-treating or wash tank, a saponification tankand a bleaching tank, together with a tank arranged to contam a supplyof acid which may besupplied to any of the first-mentioned tanks, a

distilled water tank, a sweet water or glycerin tank, and a tankarranged to receive wash water from the acid-treating or wash tank.Suitable pipe connections between the several tanks are provided asillustrated, and

we also provide a pump for forcing the contents of the tanks from onetank to another.

Our invention is not concerned with the particular arrangement of-thetanks, so it will not be necessary for us to go into a detailexplanation of the same at this time, as the functions of the severaltanks'will be made readily apparent by referring to patent to BalthasarE. Renter No. 1,068,079 before mentioned. One or more of the tanks shownin Fig. 5 may be provided with the improved heating and agitatingdevices of our invention, and if a plurality of tanks are equipped withthe said heating and agitating devices, the said heating and agitatingdevices are preferably connected with a common steam supply pipe.

In Figs.- 1 to 4:, inclusive, we have illustrated the improved heatingand agitating devices of our invention associated with a tank which maybe a saponification or other tank, the said tank being provided with abottom sloping toward the center and a lining of lead at 6 to resist theacid employed in carrying out the process of treating the contents ofthe tank. The tank shown in Fig. 1 is air-tight and is provided with anopening 7 and a cover 8 for said opening, the cover 8 comprising aflange projecting into a water seal and so effectually preventing theadmission of air to the tank. The cover may also be provided with asuitable counterweight 9, as illustrated. Vertically disposed within thetank is a pipe 10, having threaded upon itslower end a coupling 11.Threaded into the lower end of the coupling 11 is a short pipe section 412 which terminates slightly above the hotupper end of the pipe 10 is acoupling 17,

tom of the tank. Threaded into the said coupling 11 and radiatingtherefrom sub ,stantially at right angles to the axis ofthe pipe 10 arethe pipe sections 13, each of which is threaded into a T 14; Threadedinto all of the Ts 14 and but one disposed substantially at right anglesto the axis of the pipe sections 13 are the short pipe sections 15 whichterminate slightly above the bottom of the tank. Also threaded into theTs 14 are the brackets 16 which act as supporting legs to retain thepipe 10 in vertical. position, the lower ends of said brackets'16 beingsoldered or otherwise secured to the lead lining 6 of the tank. From theabove description it will be seen that the contents of the tank mayenter the pipe 10 through the pipe section 12 and through the Ts '14 andpipe sections 13. Threaded upon the into the upper portion of which isthreaded a pipe 18 passing through the top of the tank and havingsuitable connection with a steam supply pipe 19. Screw-threaded into thecoupling 17 and radiating therefrom at substantially right angles to theaxis of the pipe 10 are the pipe sections 20, each .one of which isprovided at its outer end with an elbow 21, said elbows being sodisposed that fluid discharged through the said elbows will have awhirling motion in a downward direction imparted thereto. Suspended fromthe coupling 17 and disposed within the pipe 10 is a smaller pipe 22,which has threaded upon its lower end a nozzle 23 arranged to dischargesteam into the pipe 10 -m an upward direction. The said nozzlepreferably comprises a plurality of superposed inverted hollow conesfrustums 24: connected by integral webs. Through each of the said websis drilled a plurality of comparatively small holes 25. The lower end ofthe nozzle is preferably closed by means of a plug 26, as shown.Interposed in the steam supply pipe 19 is a valve 27 controlled by aregulator 28, said regulator comprising a metal bellows 29, a stem 30interposed between the bellows 29 and the movable element of the valve27, and a weight 31 mounted upon a lever 32 attached to the stem 30.Supported by the wall of the tank and projecting into the tank is a tube33 closed at its inner end, and affording communication between the tube33 and the bellows 29 is a tube 3 1 of relatively small cross-section.The tube 33 is designed to contain any suitable volatile fluid. As thetemperature within the tank increases, the volatile fluid Within thetube 33 is expanded and operates the bellows 29 to control the valve 27.

Assuming the tank shown in Fig. 1 to contain a supply of fats or oils orother material to be heated and agitated, the valve 27 is opened and asupply of steam under pres- 'into the pipe 10 a violent circulation ofthe fats and oils or other materials through the pipe 10 is produced,the said materials being passed out of the pipe 10 through the pipes 20and discharged downwardly with the whirling motion by the elbows 21. Itwill thus be seen that the fats and oils or other materials areeffectually heated by the steam discharged from the nozzle 23 and alsoefi'ectually agitated thereby. The whirling motion imparted to thematerials discharged from the pipes 20 is also very effective inagitating the contents of the tank.

It is very important in. agitating the contents of the tank of the classdescribed that the materials at the bottom of the tank be thoroughlyagitated. It will be seen that the device of our invention draws thematerials from the bottom of the tank, agitates them violently andprojects them back into the tank at a higher elevation with the whirlingmotion beforementioned, thus of factually agitating the same.-

Attention is called to the fact that the materials passed through thepipe 10 are not only heated by the steam brought directly into contacttherewith, but that as said materials are forced upwardly in the pipe 10they are superheated by conduction through the pipe 22, which suppliessteam under pressure to the nozzle 23.

While we find it convenient to employ a regulator in connection with thevalve interposed in the steam supply pipe, we wish it to be understoodthat the heating and agitating devices of our invention may be employedwithout utilizing this regulator if desired.

From the above description it will be seen that we have provided meanswhereby the contents of a tank may be thoroughly and economically heatedand agitated, that the contents of the tank are agitated by the samesteam that is utilized to heat the same, and that the agitator does notnecessarily comprise any moving parts. Connected with one of the Ts 14and passing upwardly through the top of the tank is a pipe 35 having afunnel 36 at the upper end thereof. The said pipe 35 is controlled by asuitable valve 37. In treating the fats and oils in the process ofmaking soap, it is necessary to treat the material within the tank withvarious chemicals such, for instance, as the Twitchell catalytic reagentand sulfuric comprising a passage having both ends thereof communicatingwith the tank, a nozzle in said passage arranged to discharge steamtoward the outlet end of the passage, means for supplying steam underpressure to said nozzle and means for supplying treating materialthrough said passage.

2. In combination, a tank, and combined heating and agitating mechanismfor said tank, said heating and agitating mechanism comprising a passagehaving both ends thereof communicating with the tank, the inlet end ofthe passage located below the normal level of the tank contents, meansin said passage for discharging steam toward the outlet'end of thepassage and a treatin material supply pipe terminating in sai passage atthe intake end thereof.

3. In combination, a tank, and combined heating and agitating mechanismfor said tank comprising a passage communicating with the contents ofthe tank, means for admitting steam under pressure to said passageintermediate its ends to heat and agitate the contents of the tank andmeans for supplying treating material to said passage.

4. In combination, a tank, a pipe within said tank, a nozzle within saidpipe arranged to project fluid under pressure toward the upper end ofsaid pipe, and means for supplying heated fluid under pressure to saidnozzle to heat and agitate the contents of the tank, said nozzlecomprising a plurality of superposed hollow inverted truncated cones,webs connecting said truncated cones and a plurality of aperturesthrough each of said webs.

5. In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposed within said tank,a plurality of intake pipes radiating from the lower end of said firstpipe, a plurality ofdischarge pipes radiating from the upper end of saidfirst pipe, a nozzle within said first pipe arranged to discharge fluidunder pressure toward the upper portion of said first pipe, and meansfor supplying the fluid under pressure to said nozzle.

6. In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposed within said tank,a plurality of intake pipes radiating from the lower end of said firstpipe, a plurality of discharge pipes radiating from the upper end-ofsaid first pipe, a nozzle within said first pipe arranged to dischargefluid under pressure toward the upper portion of said first pipe,

and means for supplying the fluid under pressure to said nozzle, each ofsaid discharge pipes comprising means adapted to impart a whirlingdirection to the material expelled therefrom.

7 In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposedwithin said tank, aplurality of intake pipes radiating from the lower end of said firstpipe, a plurality of discharge pipes radiating from the upper end ofsaid first pipe, and means Within said first pipe for discharging steamtoward the upper end of said first pipe.

8. In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposed within said tank,a plurality of intake pipes radiating from the lower end of said firstpipe, a plurality of discharge pipes radiating from the upper end ofsaid first pipe, and means within said first pipe for discharging steamtoward the upper end of said first pipe, each of said discharge pipescomprising means adapted to impart a whirling direction to the materialexpelled therefrom.

9. In combination, a tank, and a combined heating and agitating devicefor said tank comprising a passage open at both ends, said passagehaving its lower end immediately adjacent the bottom of the tank, aplurality of discharge pipes communicating with said passage, meanswithin said passage for discharging steam toward said discharge pipes,and means carried by each of said discharge pipes arranged to impart awhirling motion to fluid passing therethrough.

10. In combination, a tank, and a combined heating and agitating devicefor said tank comprising a pipe vertically disposed within said tank, anozzle within said pipe arranged to discharge steam into said pipe tocreate a circulation of the contents of the tank through said pipe,means for supplying steam to said nozzle, and a regulating devicearranged to shut off the supply of steam when the temperature within thetank has reached a predetermined maximunu 11. In combination, a tank, a.pipe vertically disposed within said tank, a second pipewithin the firstpipe suspended'from the upper end of the first pipe, a nozzle carried atthe lower end of said second pipe, said nozzle comprising a plurality ofinverted superposed hollow cone frustums, webs connecting said frustums,a plurality of apertures in each of said webs, means for supplying steamunder pressure to said second pipe, and a regulator adapted to shut offthe supply of steam when the temperature within the tank has reached aprede termined maximum.

12. In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposed within said tank,a plurality of inlet tubes radiating from the lower end of said pipe, aplurality of discharge tubes radiating from the upper end of said pipe,a

'nozzle within said pipe arranged to discharge steam toward saiddischarge tubes,

ply pipe having direct communication with one of said inlet tubeswhereby treating material may be thoroughly mixed with the contents ofthe tank in said pipe and discharged through said discharge tubes intothe tank.

13. In combination, a tank, a pipe vertically disposed within said tank,a plurality of inlet tubes radiating from the lower end of said-pipe, anozzle Within said pipe arranged to discharge steam toward the dischargeend of said pipe, means for supplying steam under pressure to saidnozzle, and a waeoe treating material supply pipe having directcommunication with one of said inlet tubes whereby treating material maybe thoroughly 20 mixed with the contents of the tank in said pipe anddischarged through said discharge tubes into the tank.

In witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names, in the presence oftwo Witnesses. 25

PAUL GUSTAV KAISER. BALTHASAR E. REUTER.

Witnesses for Paul G. Kaiser:

LEONARD E. Boson, AUGUST H. L. ARNDT. Witnesses for Balthasar E. Renter:

RAYMOND C. KARGE, GEORGE KoPPENHoErER, Jr.

